A sheepfold was a fenced area in which sheep were bedded down for the night to keep them safe from wild animals and thieves. This pen had only one door, and the shepherd slept near the door as an additional security measure.

With this imagery, Jesus declared Himself to be the true shepherd of Isreal. The Pharisees claimed to be the leaders, or shepherds, of God’s people, but they were actually false prophets who were leading the people astray.

Jesus was the Good Shepherd who had entered the sheepfold with the right credentials. H was God’s Son who had been sent by the Lord Himself as the Savior and Redeemer of His people.

John 10:1 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.